Grant writers are important to all sorts of organisations, from not for profits to start-ups. Their role is to help the organisation to be awarded some of the many millions of dollars in grants up for grabs in Australia each year. This includes grants from listed businesses, government and philanthropic organisations.
If you’ve been asked to write a grant, but you’re not a grant writer, we’ve got some tips to help you.
Here are Proof Communications’ 5 tips to help you become a successful grant writer.
1. Understand all the requirements for the grant application
There are often many parts to a grant application: there are the questions to be answered, a project plan or methodology to be presented, and a budget to be prepared.
Before you start working on any of these elements, read the grant application information very carefully. Be absolutely clear about what is needed for the application.
Become familiar with details such as page or word count limits and the submission deadline.
It is very important that your grant application complies with all the requirements for submission.
You may need to seek help for parts of the application from colleagues or people outside your organisation, such as the organisation’s external accountant. So it’s always best to be like a boy scout and be prepared.
It’s also helpful to prepare a simple grant application process plan with the key requirements, milestones and internal deadlines so that you don’t overlook anything.
2. What’s your ‘why’?
Before you set off as a grant writer, be crystal clear about the purpose of your project, program or initiative. Can you describe this in one sentence: what will the funding be used for? And why is this important? Your grant application will need to clearly and succinctly present a compelling argument for why the funding is important and the outcomes that your project, program or initiative will deliver.
Just as important is to consider how your proposed project or project addresses the goals of the organisation that is issuing the funding. For example, if you are applying for a grant from a government program, how does your proposed program or project meet the objectives of the government’s program?
3. Ensure that all the other details are spot-on too
Your application will need an explanation of why your project, program or initiative is needed; how it will be delivered (the methodology); the outcomes you expect it to deliver; the budget; how the funding will be used; and how you will measure the results.
Your budget will be carefully scrutinised. Be sure to include any other sources of income that will fund the project, plus all the costs. These could be salaries, travel, supplies, rent, equipment, trials or focus groups, just for example. Don’t include anything that if not permitted to be covered by the funding.
4. Be precise when writing your application
It’s a good idea to have one person write the grant application. Everyone writes in a different style and you want your application to read as if it’s been written by the same person. So, make it the same person!
When writing, be clear and succinct. Get to the point quickly so that the grant assessors can easily understand why the funding is important.
Use words that are used in the grant information.
Tell the grant assessors a story that creates interest. Present your pitch: the project’s purpose, why it’s important, the benefits. Use data as evidence to back up your points. Statistics are good. And don’t forget to explain how the program or project addresses the objectives for the grants being issued.
5. Edit and proofread
After you’ve written your grant application, have someone who hasn’t been involved read it through very carefully. Do they understand the purpose of your project? Do they understand why it’s important? Do they understand how the project will be delivered and the proposed outcomes. Do they find the story convincing? Are there edits that need to be made to make the content tighter? Are there any typos that need correcting?
Contact us today for your grant writing needs
Partnering with the professional grant writers, editors and proof readers at Proof Communications will help you to ensure your grant applications are spot-on and increase your opportunity for success. Get in touch or ring us on 02 8036 5532 or 0448 566 377 to learn what we can do for you.